National Association of Massage Therapists

National Association of Massage Therapists. The National Association of Massage Therapists is a professional organization that aims to promote the art and science of Massage therapy through American Massage Therapy Association-approved standards, as supported by National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation. The organization works closely with other professional bodies, such as the International Massage Association and the World Massage Council, to advance the field of massage therapy, which has been influenced by pioneers like Per Henrik Ling and Milton Trager. The NAMT also collaborates with American Medical Association-affiliated institutions, including the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic, to integrate massage therapy into mainstream healthcare, as recommended by the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization.

● History

The National Association of Massage Therapists was founded in 1999 by a group of massage therapists, including James H. Clay, who sought to establish a professional organization that would promote the interests of massage therapists and advance the field of massage therapy, which has its roots in ancient civilizations, such as Ancient Greece and Ancient China, and has been influenced by Ayurvedic medicine and Traditional Chinese medicine. The organization's early years were marked by collaboration with other professional bodies, including the American Massage Therapy Association and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, as well as institutions like the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Washington. The NAMT has also been influenced by the work of notable massage therapists, such as Ida P. Rolf and Moshe Feldenkrais, who have contributed to the development of various massage modalities, including Rolfing and Feldenkrais method.

● Organization

The National Association of Massage Therapists is governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from various states, including California, New York, and Florida, as well as international representatives from countries like Canada and Australia. The organization has a number of committees, including the Education Committee, which works with institutions like the University of Minnesota and the University of Texas to develop educational programs and standards for massage therapy, and the Research Committee, which collaborates with organizations like the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization to advance research in the field. The NAMT also has a number of state and local chapters, including the California Chapter and the New York Chapter, which work with local organizations, such as the California Massage Therapy Council and the New York State Massage Therapy Association, to promote the interests of massage therapists and advance the field of massage therapy.

● Membership

Membership in the National Association of Massage Therapists is open to licensed massage therapists, as well as students and instructors of massage therapy, who are affiliated with institutions like the Bastyr University and the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. Members of the NAMT receive a number of benefits, including access to continuing education programs, liability insurance, and networking opportunities with other professionals in the field, including those from organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Chiropractic Association. The organization also offers membership to international massage therapists, including those from countries like United Kingdom and Germany, who are affiliated with organizations like the General Council for Massage Therapy and the Deutsche Massage Therapeuten Vereinigung.

● Certification

The National Association of Massage Therapists offers a certification program for massage therapists, which is recognized by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation. The certification program is designed to ensure that massage therapists meet certain standards of competence and professionalism, as outlined by organizations like the American Massage Therapy Association and the International Massage Association. The NAMT also recognizes certifications from other organizations, including the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and the Board of Certification for Massage Therapy, which are affiliated with institutions like the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Illinois.

● Advocacy

The National Association of Massage Therapists is an advocate for the interests of massage therapists and the field of massage therapy, which has been influenced by pioneers like Per Henrik Ling and Milton Trager. The organization works with government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Labor, to promote the recognition of massage therapy as a legitimate healthcare profession, as supported by organizations like the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization. The NAMT also collaborates with other professional organizations, including the American Massage Therapy Association and the International Massage Association, to advance the field of massage therapy and promote the interests of massage therapists, who are affiliated with institutions like the Mayo Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic.

● Education

The National Association of Massage Therapists is committed to promoting education and research in the field of massage therapy, which has been influenced by ancient civilizations, such as Ancient Greece and Ancient China, and has been shaped by the work of notable massage therapists, such as Ida P. Rolf and Moshe Feldenkrais. The organization offers a number of educational programs and resources, including continuing education courses and workshops, which are affiliated with institutions like the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Washington. The NAMT also collaborates with other organizations, including the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization, to advance research in the field of massage therapy and promote the development of evidence-based practices, as supported by organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Chiropractic Association. The organization's educational efforts are also supported by institutions like the Bastyr University and the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, which offer programs in massage therapy and related fields.

Category:Massage therapy organizations